Risk factors for lung cancer worldwide

Abstract

Lung cancer is the most frequent malignant neoplasm in most countries, and the main cancer-related cause of mortality worldwide in both sexes combined.The geographic and temporal patterns of lung cancer incidence, as well as lung cancer mortality, on a population level are chiefly determined by tobacco consumption, the main aetiological factor in lung carcinogenesis.Other factors such as genetic susceptibility, poor diet, occupational exposures and air pollution may act independently or in concert with tobacco smoking in shaping the descriptive epidemiology of lung cancer. Moreover, novel approaches in the classification of lung cancer based on molecular techniques have started to bring new insights to its aetiology, in particular among nonsmokers. Despite the success in delineation of tobacco smoking as the major risk factor for lung cancer, this highly preventable disease remains among the most common and most lethal cancers globally.Future preventive efforts and research need to focus on non-cigarette tobacco smoking products, as well as better understanding of risk factors underlying lung carcinogenesis in never-smokers.

Lung cancer patients with synchronous colon cancer

“…There is a possibility that this combination may be more common than initially considered, if endoscopically treatable early colon cancer is taken into consideration. It is generally accepted that cigarette smoking plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis (4). In addition, epidemiological data suggested that obesity is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer (10).…”

“…Epidemiologically, it has been suggested that cigarette smoking is closely associated with an increased risk of cancer in various organs, including the lung and the colon (4,5). Lung cancer is primarily known to be associated with upper aerodigestive tract cancer, but its association with gastrointestinal cancer should not be overlooked.…”

“…Lung cancer is primarily known to be associated with upper aerodigestive tract cancer, but its association with gastrointestinal cancer should not be overlooked. In fact, lung cancer appears to be one of the most common second primary cancers in patients with colon cancer (4). However, there are few reports of the treatment and outcome of patients with synchronous lung and colon cancers (6)(7)(8).…”

Diet in lung cancer: back to natural and healthy food

“…Consistent work of researchers worldwide has focused over the identifiable risk factors in lung cancer and the possibility to influence some of them. Genetic factors, tobacco smoking, diet and alcohol, chronic pulmonary inflammation, ionizing radiation, occupational exposure, environmental pollution (mainly due to tobacco smoke, radon and asbestos), and other risk factors (hormones, underweight) have been largely discussed [3,5]. Moreover, the World Cancer Research Fund/ American Institute for Cancer Research Second Expert Report Panel judged that arsenic in drinking water and β-carotene supplements have increased the risk of lung cancer; but consuming fruits and food containing carotenoids probably has protective consequences [1].…”

“…Despite of being a highly preventable disease, lung cancer remains the most common cancer in the world in terms of new cases, 1.8 million in 2012 (12.9% in total), and mortality [1][2][3]. It accounts for 19.4% of all cancer deaths, being the main cancer-related cause of mortality regardless the gender [2].…”